Damian’s major award for hurling and Irish language dedication

NAOMH Colum Cille clubman Damian (Mór) O’Neill has received national recognition for his dedication to the promotion of hurling and the Irish language and the development of his beloved club over the last 35 years.

Damian has received the highly prestigious Federation of Irish Sport Volunteers in Sport Award 2021. He was chosen along with eight other volunteers throughout Ireland.

As a schoolboy, with the help of his friends, he established Naomh Colum Cille Hurling Club in the Clonoe and Coalisland parishes. His commitment to the club over the last 35 years has been phenomenal, the highlight being when they reached the All-Ireland Junior Club final in Croke Park in 2010. The club based at Páirc Chlochóg is currently thriving, with scores of underage players playing hurling and camogie. It has also received awards from the GAA for the promotion of the Irish language.

As a teenager, Damian played minor football for Tyrone but decided to follow his passion for hurling. He currently serves as the club’s chairperson and has previously held numerous committee positions as well as coaching positions within the club. He has received many messages of congratulations since the award was announced by the organisers who chose him for “his love of hurling and the Irish language, as well as his dedication to the sport and club, which has made Damian a valued member of the community over the last 35 years”.

Damian said the award came as a “shock but was very nice to get it”. He paid tribute to the many volunteers who have given of their time at Naomh Colum Cille.

He explained, “I got a call from Mary O’Connor an All Ireland camogie and football medal winner with Cork, who is involved in the awards.

“The medal was sent out and due to the Covid situation, the awards ‘ceremony’ will be online.

“It is great recognition for the club at a national level. It is nice to get this but many people gave so much to Naomh Colum Cille down the years.

“A club is a whole team effort and a community. It is not the most glamorous to get involved in hurling in Tyrone but it is very enriching.

“I am very humbled that some-one put my name forward. I am only one of many who has contributed since the club was founded, as is the case in all GAA clubs.

“The GAA club keeps families, friends and communities together. It does so much to benefit people’s mental and physical health.”

In a short address that will be played at the award ceremony, Damian speaks of his gratitude to Naomh Collum Cille and the GAA. He said, “I have certainly received a lot more than anything I have given in all the years volunteering. There is truth in the old saying, ‘It’s in the giving that you receive’.”

The awards will be streamed live tonight (Thursday) at 7pm on the Federation of Irish Sport’s Facebook page.